The historic resolution was reached following a joint meeting today at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Station, attended by Thane MP Naresh Mhaske, Central Railway and CIDCO officials, and Shiv Sena office bearers. During the meeting, Central Railway agreed to undertake pre-monsoon maintenance, daily operations, and the station transfer process.

Since taking office, MP Mhaske has consistently raised the issue at Railway Advisory Committee meetings, highlighting that maintenance contracts for stations such as Vashi–Belapur and Kharghar–Khandeshwar had expired in 2003 and 2008, while no contracts existed for stations including Airoli, Rabale, Ghansoli, Koparkhairane, Turbhe, Bamandongri, Kharkopar, and Kharghar.

Mhaske stressed the urgency of the transfer, given the region’s rapid growth driven by projects such as Navi Mumbai International Airport, six-laning of highways, and other infrastructure initiatives, which are placing a significant strain on existing railway infrastructure.

Under the plan, stations will undergo renovation under the ‘Amrut Bharat’ scheme, closed ticket counters will reopen, and subways and foot overbridges at Rabale, Digha, and Airoli will be completed. Central Railway officials provided a written commitment to complete the transfer and maintenance works within six months.

The meeting was attended by CIDCO GMD Dr Raja Dayanidhi, senior railway engineers, Shiv Sena district chief Dwarkanath Bhoir, former deputy mayor Ramakant Mhatre, and local corporators. Commuters now anticipate safer, more reliable, and efficient rail services in Navi Mumbai.